The ruling party is permitted to use government vehicles for campaigning if they pay a fee.
Explanation
The Model Code of Conduct (MCC) is a set of guidelines issued by the Election Commission of India to regulate political parties and candidates prior to elections. Its primary objective is to ensure free and fair elections by preventing the misuse of official machinery and maintaining a level playing field.Analysis of Options:
- Ministers cannot lay foundation stones of any projects once elections are announced. is a correct statement: The MCC prohibits Ministers and other authorities from announcing financial grants, laying foundation stones for projects, or making promises of construction once elections are announced. This prevents the ruling party from influencing voters through new schemes.
- Places of worship cannot be used for election propaganda. is a correct statement: To maintain communal harmony and the secular nature of elections, the MCC explicitly forbids the use of mosques, churches, temples, or other places of worship for election propaganda.
- The ruling party is permitted to use government vehicles for campaigning if they pay a fee. is an incorrect statement: The MCC strictly prohibits the use of official machinery, transport, and personnel for electioneering work. Government vehicles, aircraft, and machinery cannot be used for the furtherance of the interest of the party in power, regardless of any fee payment. This ensures that public resources are not utilized for political campaigning.
- Ministers cannot take any big policy decisions once elections are announced. is a correct statement: Ministers are barred from taking major policy decisions or sanctioning grants from discretionary funds once the MCC is in force to prevent undue influence on the electorate.
Key Takeaway: The Model Code of Conduct enforces a strict separation between official government duties and political campaigning, ensuring that the party in power does not derive an unfair advantage through the use of state machinery or resources.